Arch supporting plate



Cal

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UETED STAES ARCI-I SUPPORTING PLATE Eugen Matthias, St. Moritz, Switzerland Application January 9, In Germany 7 Claims.,

This invention relates to foot arches in the form oi vaulted supporting plates for the feet.

It is a known fact that the metal arches for supporting the feet hitherto obtainable on the market come up to the purpose which they are intended to serve only in a Very imperfect manner. The reason for thisy is that all these foot arches are rigid and thus unyielding and inelastic. Though the foot is built as a static arch of a double ogee form it can not be considered as a static structure only, 'but must be attributed dynamic functions also, due to the bones of the foot being joined and held together by elastic ligaments and the foot being actuated by still more elastic muscles. The two main basic functions which the foot fuLills are steadying and carrying the weight of the body on the one hand and elastically compensating all shocks and pressure eiiects to which the human foot is subjected during functioning in a static or quiescent manner (standing and the like) as well as during functioning dynamically (walking, running, iurrlpingand so forth) on the other hand.

A rigid foot arch is suited for supporting the foot, but prevents all natural dynamic functions of the same, thus destroying the organs serving for this purpose, such as the ligaments and principally the muscles of the foot, as these atrophy due to being compelled to remain inactive. In consequence thereof, the foot is more and more despoilcd of its natural functioning by the rigid foot arch.

Therefore, a foot arch is adapted to perfectly fulll the purpose for which it is built only when it acts in both ways, i. e., for supporting the foot as well as elastically compensating the movements thereof which two conditions are satisfied by the foot arch according to the present invention being in the iorm of a strong plate, for example of metal, which is adapted to act at the same timer as an elastic and thus as a dynamic supporting member for the foot, with a view to avoiding the muscles of the foot being rendered inactive and in contradistinction from the known foot arches assisting the muscles to perform their natural functions and thereby strengthening the same.

By correspondingly constructing this foot arch, the result is obtained that in walking the foot feels like being elastically supported from below and thus being relieved from undue eort which hitherto was not accomplished by means of any of the known foot arches.

in carrying the invention into effect, each foot,

1934, Serial No. 705,921 July 14, 1933 (Cl. Bti-7.1)

arch is provided with properties adapted to the foot for which it is intended, viz.

(l) Particular xed points for the weak parts of the foot as regards functioning of the same,

(2) Elastic portions immediately adjacent to, these points.

For choosing the dynamic lines determining, the above distribution, which lines can be derived individually for each case, a reasoning is adopted as will be hereinafter described, by taking reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows in an elevation the bones ofthe human foot,

Fig. 2 shows the same as seen from below,

Fig. 3 illustrates by way of example a side elevation of a foot arch according to this invention,

Fig. 1 shows a top plan View of Fig. 3,

Fig. 54 shows by way of example atop. plan View of a foot arch according to this invention, for a foot spreading laterally,

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 of a foot arch for a flat foot having also spread,

Fig. 7 shows a modied form of the front portion of the foot arches as per the Figs. 5 and 6.

The human foot as illustrated in the Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing is constituted by two rows, of bones situated above and alongside of each other, and each row forming an elongated vault. The outer row of bones including the heel bone A, the cuboid bone B and thetwo exterior metatarsal bones C form the exterior longitudinal vault of lesser rise, as indicated in these gures by hatching and by the pressure line h in Fig. 1. The ankle bone D, which is superposed on the heel bone A, the scaphoid bone E and the three wedge bones F form together with the metatarsal bones C the inner higher longitudinal arch the pressure line of which is shown at i in Fig. 1.

At the metatarsal bones, the two longitudinal arches of unequal rise merge in a common surface. The two longitudinal vaults situated alongside of each other in a superposed position form a transverse Vault the apex line of which is indicated at b-b in Fig. 2 and extends above the ankle bone D and the pressure line of which passes through the three wedge bones F and the cuboid bone B and which is indicated bythe chain dottted line d--d in Fig. 2. The centre line of gravity of the erected quiescent body indicated by a full arrow line in Fig. 1 intersects the line joining the apexes situated in the same plane as this gravity line, of the pressure lines of the longitudinal and transverse Vaults.

Due to the forwardlyv inclined disposition oi the ankle bone D, the line along which the load is applied is slightly deviated towards the front, as indicated by a chain dotted arrow line in Fig. l, so that this line meets approximately with the junction between the heel bone A and the cuboid bone B on the one hand and the ankle bone D and the scaphoid bone E on the other. In Fig. 2 the line of maximum loading is shown at c-c.

The lines c-c and cZ-d of maximum loading and the greatest width of the transverse vault indicate ,the portions of the foot which are most strained by the load imposed thereon.

The line c-c in Fig. 2 may be considered as indicating the region of possible sagging due to static loading and the line d-d the region of possible sagging due to dynamically straining the foot. The latter holds true for the reason that the metatarsal bones C form during all walking, running and jumping movements of the body a broad abutment base of the foot, whereas the line c-c indicates the region of maximum loading from the quiescent body. Sagging of the foot along the line c-c causes flat-footedness whereas from sagging along the line d-d spreading of the foot ensues. Very often the foot is deformed by combined sagging in both ways which results in a spread fiat foot.-

The object of the present invention is to compensate the three most frequent deformations of the normal foot.

The solution of this problem is carried into effect in the following manner. Y

The vaulted foot arch according to the invention is provided with a curvilinear perforation which subdivides the integral plate into a vaulted more rigid circumferential portion, adapted for supporting the weak parts of the foot as unyieldingly as possible, and into also vaulted springy tongues surrounded by the circumferential portion and having the office to support the foot in resilient manner within the region of sagging thereof.

In this manner the foot arch is adapted to counteract the tendency of a foot to sag and to alleviate or remedy respectively the actual sagging of a foot in as much as the ligaments or muscles of the foot, thus being free to perform their natural functions, are assisted in this functioning, by the springy tongues, and in regaining strength. The curvilinear perforation of the foot archcan be carried out in any desired fashion, as will be readily understood from the foregoing, depending whether the plate is to serve as a foot arch for a sagging foot or a foot having spread or a foot having both of these inrmities. The particular shape of the foot, that is the deformation of the same, can be precisely determined by means of special testing devices which permits of shaping, the foot arch individually in adaptation to every practical case.

The foot arch consists of a strong plate, preferably made of metal, the contour of which con forms to the size and the form of the foot in general and which is vaulted in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction in accordance with the sole of the foot, as particularly evident from Fig. 3. The rate of the various curvatures of the foot arch is adapted to the condition of the foot. The vaulted plate 1 of the foot arch shown in the Figs. 3 and 4, as intended fora right flat foot and also indicated in Fig. 2 by a circumferential line, is subdividedby a linear perforation 3, beginning at 2 at the heel portion and ending at 4 Within the front portion, into a more rigid circumferential or frame portion 5 y The perforation 3 of the plate is so disposed that the line a-a indicates a neutral zone of maximum allowable rigidity for supporting the larger longitudinal arch of the foot.

The two springy tongues 6 and 7, the former extending forwardly and the latter rearwardly, are situated substantially in the main axis on opposite sides of the line c-c, i. e. the line of maximum loading, and thus in the apex portion of the vault. The characters c, f and y designate points of intersection of the linear perforation 3 with the line c-c which represent at the same time the transverse axis of resiliency, the point f of intersection on the line a-a indicating the neutral point. The more rigid frame portion 5 has the oice to support the weak parts of the foot as unyieldingly as possible, whereas the springy tongues 6 and 7 serve for yieldingly supporting the foot in the region of sagging which is essential particularly for the fiat foot.

The foot arch for a foot having spread, as shown in 5 for a right foot, consists also of a vaulted plate l. The curvilinear perforation 9 is designed by considering the actual cause of spreading of the foot, i. e. the weighting of the foot changing from static loading to dynamic straining. The curvilinear perforation 9 begins at point i0 of the heel portion and extends within the region of the metatarsal bones, i. e. the front portion of the plate, to form thereat a vaulted springy tongue 11. From thence this perforation is returned in convolutions to point 12 of the heel portion, thus forming at the region4 of the transverse vault springy flaps 13 and 14.

At the front portion of the plate on the underside thereof lateral strong tongues l5 are arranged which support the flap 11 from below. The embossed portion of the flap 11 raises the metatarsal bones, for relieving the strain on the transverse vault of the spread foot. The total amount of spring supporting provided by tongue 16, extending from the heel portion to the front portion of the foot arch, inclusive of the lateral tongues 13 and le has the effect that the foot arch can adapt itself to the pressure variations caused by the dynamic straining. Upon pressure being exerted on the heel portion of the foot arch, pressure equalization can take place in the direction indicated by the arrow lines in Fig. 5 across the vault towards the front by lateral pressure exertion on the apex of the vault of the foot on both sides. Pressure exerted by the forefoot is compensated by arch action of the middle part of the foot arch. By providing a connection between the blade 16 and the frame portion 17, by means of supporting stop members 15, and contact between the end of the tongue 11 and the opposite edge of the perforation 9, additional safety of guidance as well a certain amount of consolidation of the springy parts of the foot arch can be obtained.

In the combined foot arch for a iiat foot having spread, as shown in Fig. 6, the curvilinear perforation 18 of the plate 1 begins again at the heel portion of the foot arch, at 19, to form by convolutions, similar to those disclosed in Fig. 4 for the foot arch for a flat foot, two springy tongues and 2l, within the apex portion of the transverse vault. From there the perforation is` continued through the front. portion of the; foot arch to the region of the metatarsal bones,V in order to produce a springy vaulted tonguev 22, whereafter the perforation is returned to point 23 of the heel portion. Thus, this plate represents a, combination of the constructions as per the Figs. 4 and 5.

Also here, tov a certain extent a more or less unyielding zone extending in the longitudinal direction of the largest longitudinal vault of the foot is provided and aside from this springy tongues 20- and 21 are formed. Alongside of the said unyielding longitudinal zone, a longitudinal blade 24 essential for a spread foot is provided which continues to the vaulted tongue 22 which supports the metatarsal bones in a resilient manner and engages with the frame portion 25 of the plate 1 after corresponding deflection or expansion.

In Fig. 7, the frame portion of the plate is provided Within the extent of the tongue 22 with a more or less vaulted flap 26 interengaging with this tongue, so as to constitute due to its considerable width a relatively unyielding flat member of some resiliency. This flap divides the springy tongue 22 into two parts 22 and 22" which are also vaulted and supported by tongues l5 projecting thereunder.

The width of the strips for counteracting the dynamic thrusts can be chosen individually at will. Wide and short tongues are less resilient and thus more rigid, whereas long narrow tongues have more inherent spring and are thus less rigid. In this way provision is made that the foot arch, due to its resiliency, can be adapted 1. To every class of feet as regards loading and size and 2. To any degree of deformation of the feet.

Highly sagging feet must be supported by means of less spring effect and vice versa.

Finally, it is stated that any foot arch can be formed with the aid of a special measuring method, as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. A705,922, led January 9, 1934, so as to minutely consider every detail of the existing differences in level of the sole of the foot. This method permits one to make a reproduction of the foot in the relieved and loaded condition thereof. By this means it is possible to ascertain the weakened parts of the foot in an accurate manner and to correspondingly judge to what extent resiliency of the foot arch is to be provided for. Consequently, the production of individually scientifically adapted foot arches is rendered possible by virtue of this method.

I do not limit myself to the particular size, shape, number or arrangement of parts as shown and described, all of which may be varied without going beyond the scope of my invention as shown, described and claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a foot arch, in combination, a strong vaulted supporting plate for the foot, said plate being subdivided by means of a curvilinear perforation, a stronger vaulted circumferential portion of said plate left unimpaired by said perforation, for supporting the weakened parts of said foot as unyieldingly as possible, and vaulted springy tongues of said plate left by said perforation and surrounded by said circumferential portion, for yieldingly supporting said foot at the region of sagging of the latter.

2. In afoot arch for a flat foot, in combination, a strong vaulted supporting plate for the foot, said plate being subdivided by means of a curvilinear perforation beginning at the heel portion of saidv plate and ending Within the portion corresponding to the forefoot thereof, a stronger vaulted circumferential portion of said plate left unimpaired' by said perforation, for supporting the weakened parts of said foot as unyieldingly as possible, and vaulted springy tongues of said plate left by said' perforation and surrounded by said circumferential portion for yieldingly supporting said foot at the region of sagging of the latter.

3. In. a foot arch, in combination, a strong vaulted supporting plate for the foot, said plate being subdivided by means of a curvilinear perforation beginning at the hee-l portion of said plate and ending at said same heel portion, a stronger vaulted circumferential portion of said plate left unimpaired by said perforation, for supporting the weakened parts of said foot as unyieldingly as possible, and vaulted springy tongues of said plate left by said perforation and surrounded by said circumferential portion, for yieldingly supporting said foot at the region of sagging of the latter.

4. In a foot arch, in combination, a strong vaulted supporting plate for the foot, said plate being subdivided by means of a curvilinear perforation and substantially rigid within the vertical longitudinal middle plane corresponding to the large longitudinal arch of said foot, a stronger vaulted circumferential portion of said plate left unimpaired by said perforation, for supporting the weakened parts of said foot as unyieldingly as possible, and vaulted springy tongues left by said perforation and situated at the apex portion of the transverse vault of said foot, one tongue being directed forwardly and the other rearwardly and both tongues being surrounded by said circumferential portion, for yieldingly supporting said foot at the region of sagging of the latter.

5. In a foot arch for a spread foot, having., in combination, a strong vaulted supporting plate for the foot, said plate being subdivided by means of a curvilinear perforation, a vaulted springy tongue extending from the heel portion of said plate to the portion thereof corresponding to the metatarsus, left by said perforation and adapted to yield longitudinally, said tongue being surrounded by said circumferential portion and adapted for yieldingly supporting said foot at the region of sagging of the latter, a vaulted portion arranged on said tongue for stiifening the same at the region of the metatarsal bones, and supporting stop means provided opposite the front end of said tongue7 for connecting said circumferential portion with said tongue for limiting the longitudinal yielding movement of the latter.

6. In a foot arch for a flat spread foot, having in combination, a strong vaulted supporting plate for the foot, said plate being subdivided by means of a curvilinear perforation, a stiff portion left in said plate by said perforation within the vertical longitudinal middle plane corresponding to the larger longitudinal arch of said foot, a stronger vaulted circumferential portion of said plate left unimpaired by said perforation, for supporting the weakened parts of said foot as unyieldingly as possible, vaulted springy tongues left by said perforation and situated at the apex portion of the transverse arch of said foot, a springy tongue left by said perforation to extend from the heel portion of said plate to the portion thereof corresponding to the metatarsal bones, all of said tongues being surrounded by said circumferential portion and adapted for yieldingly supporting said foot at the region of sagging of the latter, a vaulted portion arranged on said tongue at the portion thereof corresponding'to the metatarsal bones, and supporting stop means provided on said circumferential portion for connecting said portion to said tongue for limiting the deformation of the latter.

7. In a foot arch, in combination, a strong vaulted supporting plate for the foot, said plate being subdivided by means of a curvilinear perforation, a stronger vaulted circumferential portion of said plate left unimpaired by said perforation, for supporting the weakened parts of said foot as unyieldingly as possible, a relatively unyielding flap provided at the front of said circumferential portion to extend inwardly therefrom on said plate, and vaulted springy tongues of said plate left by said perforation and surrounded by said circumferential portion for yieldingly supporting said foot at the region of sagging of the latter and having a forked front portion of one of said tongues interengaging with said iiap.

EUGEN MATTHIAS. 

